Special Strawberry Sundae Food

STRAWBERRY SUNDAE SAUCE

Steps:

• Add the strawberries, sugar and salt to a small saucepan. Mix the cornstarch with 1/2 cup water in a small bowl and add it to the saucepan. Slowly heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a simmer, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat so it's at a very gentle simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon zest and juice and let cool.
• Serve over ice cream with salted peanuts on top.

STRAWBERRY SUNDAE SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash and mash strawberries, measuring out enough mashed berries to make 4 cups. In a Dutch oven, combine strawberries and sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Boil 1 minute longer, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Stir in syrup and liqueur if desired. Skim off foam., Pour into jars or freezer containers, leaving a 1/2-in. headspace. Cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and let stand overnight or until set. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 1 year. Serve with ice cream.

LEMON AND STRAWBERRY SUNDAES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan and line the bottom and sides with a strip of parchment paper.
• Add the butter, ricotta and sugar to a large bowl. Beat the mixture with a hand-held mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Fold the ingredients together with a rubber spatula until just combined. (Do not overmix.) Pour into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool for 1 hour.
• For the assembly: Meanwhile, combine the berries, salt and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Toss well with a fork to combine, mashing the berries slightly with the back of the fork. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Whisk together the heavy cream, vanilla extract and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a separate bowl until soft peaks form.
• Dice 6 slices of lemon loaf, then divide evenly among 6 bowls or glasses. Top each serving with some of the strawberry sauce, followed by a scoop of ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.

SPECIAL STRAWBERRY SUNDAE RECIPE

Steps:

• Whizz 225g strawberries with 2tbsp caster sugar, push through a fine sieve and discard seeds. Whip 200ml double cream to soft peaks; fold in 1/3 of the strawberry puree until marbled.
• Mix remaining puree with 350g strawberries, chopped. Layer up scoops of vanilla ice cream from a 500ml tub, the strawberries and strawberry cream, then top with halved strawberries.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SUNDAES

Steps:

• Make the biscuits: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub the mixture together with your fingertips until it looks like coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter. Stir in the buttermilk with a wooden spoon to form a rough dough. Scoop 6 mounds of dough onto a baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake until puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, prepare the strawberries: Combine the strawberries and honey in a saucepan over medium heat; partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries are just softened, 10 to 15 minutes. Divide the strawberries among bowls, reserving some of the juices; top each with a warm biscuit and a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle with the reserved strawberry juices. Photograph by Anna Williams